The Big Sick

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

[mr_rating_result]

We’ve seen the reverse set-up on TV’s “The Big Bang Theory,” where for a time white-as-Ivory-Snow Leonard was dating Priya, an Indian woman whose parents disapproved of the cross-cultural relationship.

In this new rom-com titled “The Big Sick” — now playing at Tropic Cinema — we have the vice-versa plot of a Pakistani-born Muslim guy named Kumail dating a white American gal named Emily.

Only difference is that the movie is based on real events.

Stand-up comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon penned a screenplay about their early relationship.

Kumail Nanjiani plays himself in the movie version. Zoe Kazan (granddaughter of director Elia Kaza) plays Emily.

The true-to-life plot details the topsy-turvey events in their early dating relationship, when Emily comes down with an illness that causes her to be put into a medically-induced coma, forcing Kumail to deal with her parents for the first time.

Sort of a “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” for the Trump Age.

Holly Hunter and Ray Ramano are cast as Beth and Terry, the parents who hardly know what to make of this foreign intruder. At first Beth is openly hostile towards Kumail, while Terry is only slightly more accepting, Yes, it’s a timely and entertaining “meet the parents” story. 

“The Big Sick” was produced by Judd Apatow (“Superbad,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” and “Bridesmaids”), so you know it’s gotta be funny.

How does the story turn out? Big spoiler: In real life, Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon have been married for ten years now.

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com